Comparison

Actual Currents vs MagmaSync

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Actual Currents

Visualize real-time tidal currents with animated particles and a detailed heatmap on an interactive nautical map. Plan your trips with confidence by scrubbing through time to see how currents change throughout the day, with options for global ocean currents and wind overlays.

Highlights
  • Animated tidal current visualization
  • Real-time wind overlay
  • Interactive nautical map
  • Time scrubber for predictions
  • Route planning with current analysis
  • Global ocean currents view
Features
Read full description

Actual Currents brings tidal currents to life with real-time animated particle visualization on a nautical-grade interactive map. See the actual flow of water in your area — not just tide times, but the speed and direction of tidal currents rendered as thousands of flowing particles over a detailed heatmap. Plan your trip with confidence by scrubbing through time to see how currents change throughout the day. FEATURES • Animated tidal current visualization with speed-colored particles and GPU-accelerated heatmap • Time scrubber — view current predictions for any time, past or future • Globe view with global ocean currents when zoomed out • Real-time wind overlay with global weather data • ENC nautical chart data with navigation aids, depth soundings, and depth contours • Satellite, bathymetry, and nautical basemap options • Route planning with current-aware analysis • Trip logging with GPS drift tracking • Location search to jump to any harbor or waterway COVERAGE • US Atlantic coast — Maine to Florida • US Pacific coast — Washington to California • Gulf of Mexico • Global ocean surface currents BUILT FOR BOATERS Whether you're sailing, fishing, kayaking, or navigating commercially, understanding tidal currents is critical for safety and efficiency. Actual Currents gives you an intuitive, visual understanding of water movement that tide tables alone can't provide. SUBSCRIPTION TIERS • Basic (free) — Real-time currents within ±3 hours of now • Pro ($4.99/mo) — Full historical and forecast access • Unlimited ($39.99/yr) — Full historical and forecast access with 7-day free trial Terms of Use: https://www.actualcurrents.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.actualcurrents.com/privacy.html

About

MagmaSync

Get real-time updates on Kilauea volcano activity, including eruption status, forecasts, and observatory messages. View live camera feeds, ground deformation data, and summit weather. Features AI-powered summaries and multi-language translation.

Highlights
  • Real-time alert level and color code
  • Official observatory messages
  • Eruption status tracking
  • AI-powered eruption forecasts
  • Push notifications for alerts
  • Live volcano camera feeds
  • Ground deformation plots
  • Summit weather conditions
Features
Read full description

Stay connected to Kilauea - one of the world's most active volcanoes - with real-time data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). MagmaSync delivers live volcano monitoring data, eruption forecasts, and observatory messages straight to your iPhone. Whether you're a resident of Hawaii, a traveler, a geology enthusiast, or a researcher, MagmaSync keeps you informed with the latest from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). REAL-TIME MONITORING - View the current alert level and aviation color code at a glance - Read official observatory messages as they're published by USGS/HVO - Track eruption status - erupting, fountaining, overflowing, or paused USGS POWERED ERUPTION FORECASTS - Get USGS predicted eruption forecast windows PUSH NOTIFICATIONS - Receive instant alerts when the volcano's alert level or aviation color code changes - Get notified when new observatory messages are published - Stay ahead with time-sensitive eruption forecast window updates LIVE CAMERAS - Watch Kīlauea live from multiple USGS/HVO volcano cameras - See eruption activity, lava flows, and summit views in real time - Switch between camera angles without leaving the app GROUND DEFORMATION - View USGS electronic tilt plots for the summit and East Rift Zone - Track how the volcano is inflating or deflating over 2 days, a week, a month, or 3 months - Pinch or double-tap to zoom in on the plots for a closer look - Built-in guide explains how to read the charts WEATHER AT THE SUMMIT - Check current conditions at Kīlauea powered by Apple WeatherKit - Hourly forecast, 10-day outlook, UV index, and rain probability - Sunrise and sunset times, visibility, and active weather alerts MULTI-LANGUAGE TRANSLATION - Translate observatory messages into dozens of languages - Powered by Apple's on-device Translation framework — works offline - Enable auto-translate for seamless reading in your preferred language AI-GENERATED SUMMARIES - Get concise, easy-to-understand summaries of lengthy observatory messages - Powered by Apple Intelligence — processed entirely on your device - Choose your preferred summary language DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE - Clean, intuitive interface with beautiful dynamic visuals - Dark mode and light mode support with customizable appearance - No account or login required — just open and explore - Completely free with no in-app purchases or ads DISCLAIMER & LEGAL MagmaSync is an independent, third-party app. It is NOT an official product of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), or any government agency. MagmaSync is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the USGS or any federal, state, or local government entity. All volcano monitoring data displayed in the app originates from publicly available USGS sources. While we strive to deliver accurate and timely information, MagmaSync does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any data or notifications. MagmaSync is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for official emergency alerts or safety guidance. Notifications may experience network or processing delays. AI-generated translations and summaries may be inaccurate or incomplete. For real-time safety updates and emergency instructions, always consult official local government authorities. By using MagmaSync, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, available at https://magmasync.web.app.

Screenshots

Actual Currents4 screens
MagmaSync4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MagmaSync at none against Actual Currents's 3. MagmaSync also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 60%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). Actual Currents's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Actual Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. MagmaSync asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MagmaSync holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MagmaSync has 184 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Actual Currents's written reviews are positive against 88% of MagmaSync's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Actual Currents ships an update fortnightly, MagmaSync weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Actual Currents versus MagmaSync: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActual CurrentsMagmaSync
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (20 ratings)4.9 (184 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20184 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLuka CatipovicShuangquan Li

Customer experience

Actual Currents

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

MagmaSync

All ratings184 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Actual Currents

Subscriptions3
  • Pro monthly$2.991 Month
  • Unlimited monthly$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

MagmaSync

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Actual Currents free?
Actual Currents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MagmaSync free?
MagmaSync is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Actual Currents or MagmaSync?
MagmaSync is rated higher. Actual Currents averages 4.7 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while MagmaSync averages 4.9 from 184 ratings.
Do Actual Currents or MagmaSync have ads?
Neither Actual Currents nor MagmaSync shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Actual Currents or MagmaSync?
Actual Currents ships an update fortnightly, and MagmaSync weekly. Most recently, Actual Currents was updated on October 13, 2026 and MagmaSync on October 17, 2026.

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